B.U.Gs

Atrocitus:

I look at the door to my cell as it opens. Even before I can ask, a green beam shoots in and ties my hands together. The beam pulls me out and I fall onto a green platform. As I push myself up, I look around and see myself surrounded from all sides by green lanterns.

"Atrocitus," Salaak says as he flies forward. Hovering in front of me, he raises his glowing green ring. "It's time."

The Man:

My platform shoots up from below. When it reaches the Rusuted's deck, I jump from it and the platform disappears.

"Hello," I say, greeting Oliver, Flash, and Hal as I pass them. "I hope you are well, Oliver."

"Uhh," Oliver says, looking at Flash and Hal. "Thanks. What are you doing here? And what are you covered in?"

"It's called soot," I answer, turning at Oliver before looking down at my phone. "By the way, I'm done fixing the thrusters. Where are the others?"

"They're checking on the ship," Oliver answers. "You know, making sure everything is okay. Again, what are you doing?"

"I'm trying to save Atrocitus," I answer.

"Trying to save Atrocitus," Flash repeats. "Wait, what are you talking about?"

"The Green Lanterns are on the verge of executing Atrocitus, and we're too far away to save him. I have to move fast."

"Executing Atrocitus," Laria screams, running up the stairs and leaving Cheetah behind. "What are you talking about? Wait, what did you hear from the bugs?"

"Bugs," Oliver asks. "Wait, did you leave bugs on Oa? Is that what you two are talking about?"

"Yes," I say with a nod of my head. "Shortly after Atrocitus was taken and Laria and Arisia 'joined' us, I pulled from my pockets two B.U.Gs and programmed them to fly and be my ears."

"Bugs," Cheetah repeats.

"Bio, undercover, gadget. B-U-G. They emit a signal that mimics bio-life so they'll be hard to detect. If someone did detect them, they would only see two flies."

"Well besides pretending to be alive," Laria says, "Can your bugs save Atrocitus?"

"You want to save Atrocitus," Flash asks. "I thought all you green lanterns hated red lanterns."

"My mind was changed very recently," Laria replies. "Again, can your bugs do anything to save Atrocitus?"

"Unfortunately, no. They can explode, but I feel like an explosion isn't what is needed at the moment."

"Well, if your bugs can't do anything, then I'll go."

Laria raises her hand and jumps but I stop her.

"Don't go," I say, Laria stopping.

"Why not? If I leave now, I can get back to Oa--"

"By the time you get back to Oa," I say, cutting Laria off. "It'll be too late. Atrocitus will be gone, and you'll be entering enemy territory."

"So what do we do," Oliver asks. "How do we save Atrocitus?"

"We ask for help," I answer.

Ganthet:

I couldn't stand it. I feel sick to my stomach.

"We are supposed to be defenders," I think, "We are supposed to protect all life. This isn't protecting. We're ending someone's life. Even if that someone is an enemy of the Corps., we have never ended a life. What happened to us?"

I watch from my seat as the green lanterns carry Atrocitus in chains. His arms and legs are bound together, and there are even chains around his neck.

"Red lanterns are supposed to be fueled by their anger," I think as I watch the Atrocitus with his head down. "He's not struggling. He's not shouting or screaming. His rage or anger no longer fuels him. He's just defeated."

As I watch Atrocitus step onto the platform, I see Salaak hovering above him, his ring glowing brightly.

"Guardians of Oa," Salaak says, turning around to face the other Guardians and me. "Fellow green lanterns. Today is a day we never thought would happen. Today is a day that will forever change the Corps. Today is the day we executed an enemy of the Green Lanterns."

"I can't listen to this," I say, turning away. As I turn, I hear something buzzing. "What is that?"

Looking around, I see something small and black. I try to grab it but whatever it is, it flies away.

"What is that," I ask again. I thought the fly had flown away but I was wrong. It turns and lands on my head. About to hit it, I stop when I hear a voice.

"Ganthet," the voice yells, "Don't break my B.U.G. Given their small size, it wouldn't be hard to imagine they're not easy to build."

"I know this voice," I think. "It's you. The earthling with the sunglasses. The earthling that stole Hal's ring. What is this? How am I hearing your voice?"

"Again, it's called a B.U.G. Listen, Ganthet. What is going on? Is what I'm saying true? Is Atrocitus going to be executed?"

'Yes," I sigh, "As much as it pains me, Atrocitus is being executed. The other Guardians have already decided. There is nothing I can do about it."

"Don't count yourself out yet," the earthling says. "Listen, I have to know for sure. Do you want to save Atrocitus?"

As soon as I hear the earthling's question, I feel something hit me. Whatever it is, it stops me and forces me to think.

"Do I want to save Atrocitus?"

I ask myself as I look at Atrocitus who is forced onto his knees. Salaak hovering in front of me, he uses his ring and summons a green sword. Salaak taps Atrocitus with the sword before pulling it back.

"Yes," I say, "I do want to save Atrocitus. The Green Lanterns Corps does not do this. The others may not agree with me, but this is one pathway I will not go down."

"Awesome. Give me one second."

"Give you one second," I repeat. "With all due respect, what can you possibly do? I assume you're lightyears from Oa. You're too far away to help."

"I'm too far away but my second B.U.G isn't When everyone is screaming and yelling, grab Atrocitus and get him out of there."

"Screaming and yelling? Wait, what are you going to do?"

The earthling doesn't answer. Instead, I hear beeping coming from somewhere. It seems I am not the only one. The beeping is echoing through the meeting chamber and everyone is looking around for it.

"What is that," Tomar-Re asks.

"And where is it coming from," Lobo adds.

I scan the room, looking all around until I see a flashing red light. The red light is on the end of Salaak's sword.

"Salaak," Ranakar yells, pointing at his weapon. "Watch out!"

Salaak looking at his weapon sees the flashing red light and throws his sword. However, it's too late. The sword explodes and knocks Salaak back. It also unleashes a thick cloud of smoke that blankets the whole room.

Despite many of the green lanterns calling forth shield to protect themselves, they are not immune to the smoke.

"Go, go, go," the earthling yells, "Do you not hear the screaming and yelling? Go!"

I nod my head and jump from my seat. Flying directly into the cloud of smoke, I make it to Atrocitus who is laying on the floor. He's moaning as I pick him up.

"What," he starts, shaking his head. "What are you doing?"

"Staying true to what I believe in," I answer. Using my power, I shatter the chains around Atrocitus's hands and legs.

"Follow me," the earthling says. "Well, not me but my tiny friend."

The small fly flying out of my hand flies toward the meeting chamber's door. I don't have time to think. I grab Atrocitus with my telekinesis power and follow after the bug.

Ranakar:

Waving the smoke away, I am more than glad to hear the sound of fans turning on. It takes only a few seconds before all the smoke is blown out of the meeting chamber. With the smoke gone, I see that someone else is gone.

"Atrocitus," I yell, seeing the red lanterns gone. "Where did he go? Where did Atrocitus goes?"

I look around and see something else. Ganthet is gone.

"Ganthet," I say, seeing an empty chair. I wave my arm and shout. "Green lanterns! Find Ganthet and Atrocitus! Excuted Atrocitus and bring Ganthet back here for trial!"